Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Greg Crawford On Basketball, For February 11th, 2015

Crawford's NWAC Men's Power Rankings---- It is Wednesday, time for another edition of Crawford's NWAC men's basketball power rankings. Per usual, we always do things in 9s, out of respect for the great game of golf.

4. Highline 17-6, 9-2---- The T-Birds with big wins over Lower Columbia and Tacoma last week.

3. Chemeketa 16-7, 7-1----Two big home games this week against Mt. Hood and Umpqua.

2. Edmonds 19-4, 7-1----Two road games this week starting with Everett and then to Whatcom.

1. Bellevue 21-2, 8-0----Will attempt to stay perfect in league this week, hosting Olympic and then traveling to Skagit Valley.

Note: Every Sunday we do the NWAC women's power rankings and every Tuesday, NWAC coach and player of the week in basketball.Reaction---- It was swift, thoughtful, critical and complimentary to my suggestion that the college game go to quarters rather than halves. You can read the whole segment, in the February 10th edition of http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com.

What was surprising is how many college basketball coaches on all levels would love to see a quarter system. Most comments were it would be better for the game and allow coaches to implement more strategy, while at the same time keeping with my suggestion that quarters would add more flow to the game.

Consideration of serious rule changes, whether they come from me or not, have to be taken seriously, were are in danger of losing so many young fans when it comes to the game of college basketball.

LeBron---- It there was any doubt that LeBron was running the show in Cleveland, it should be erased from your mind. Each day we hear something new coming out of Cleveland, all involving LeBron. Now I would be the first to admit, the media coverage is sometimes to put it best---- overwhelming---- and way too focused on "getting the story", as compared to what might be the real story.

The most accurate reporting comes from Chris Haynes, so he is great to follow in print and on twitter when it comes to Cleveland Cavalier basketball.

Tinkle/Altman---- This is going to be a huge road trip this week for the Oregon schools as they travel to Los Angeles. For sure, USC and UCLA are beatable, even at home this year in the Pac-12.

While Wayne Tinkle is getting all the headlines and deservingly so for the job he is doing at Oregon State, Dana Altman just sits back and wins games. Altman is one of the most underrated coaches in all of basketball and is great at getting the most out of each and every player.

Talent wise, there is no way the Ducks are a 3rd place team in the Pac-12, but guess what, they are in 3rd place and have lots to prove this weekend, as do the Beavers.